Thursday, June 07, 2007

My 20th High School Reunion

Whew, dragging 4 kids on the plane to and back was a challenge but we made it back home in one piece. Was a very busy trip – visiting in-laws, cousins, friends and, of course there was the reunion.

I was a little worried about the reunion because a few friends I knew couldn’t make it and at the last second my best friend had to bow out. And those were like the only classmates my wife knew – I wanted my wife to have a good time. Oh, but my high school sweetheart came and so did the first girl I ever asked out, LOL!

Actually, it turned out to be a good thing. I got to mingle and chat with a lot of people I didn’t know so well. It helped that I was doing really well remembering faces and names. But the biggest helper may have been the alcohol!

My classmates seemed to be a lot more fun after a few drinks. I spoke and laughed with one classmate more in a few minutes than I ever did with her in all of 6 years of high school. She’s a mommy now and said she hasn’t been drunk in 12 years. It was great and now I’m thinking why the hell didn’t we drink more in high school??? (Oops, kids don’t read this.) Other folks were really sweet, they actually started conversation by apologizing for being too shy in school and not talking with me more back then (and these were IMHO the “cool” people back in H.S.)

It was really interesting to see after 20 years that we actually wound up with much more in common than we thought we did. People I never thought we could be friends with in high school suddenly became very familiar to me and it didn’t seem too late to strike up new friendships. Of course, it could also be coincidence. I think the classmates who come back to their reunions come with the best of intentions and positive attitudes. Sure, not everyone had a great time but I consider it part of our journey and you need to look back at the good things and forget the bad.

On a final note, it was a total hoot to meet old friends and catch up. Lots of kids among us now. And there were at least 4 classmates I haven’t seen or heard from in 20 years that I used to hang out with. Looking forward to the 25th if I can make it.

Holy crap, I just realized this is my 15 reunion year. And I bet nobody's gonna do anything. Went to my 10th, and we weren't even in a conference room, let alone a ballroom--we were in a lounge on a floor of the hotel with regular guestrooms on it!

"And I bet nobody's gonna do anything."Now that would be a shame DISL but I hear actually very few high schools hold reunions. We actually have a Yahoo group that's been coordinating the reunions since our 10th one. Plus we sort of force the old senior year president to take the lead. Good luck with yours! :)

My parents get together with their high school friends in the U.S. every month. Our trip to the Philippines included their 40th reunion! So far the Class of 1967 has raised funds for college scholarships, air conditioners and computers for their alma mater. Check out their website: www.cgeahs.com